Chapter 57 Ling Yun's Request
Compared to Cheng Susu's outward expression of emotion, Fang Rui was much more reserved. She smiled faintly after hearing Qiu Fu's words: "Of course it's true. Why do you say that, Miss Qiu?"
"If it's true, why is Miss Cheng so surprised by our presence here?" Qiu Fu clenched her fist unconsciously as she met Fang Rui's gaze.
It wasn't that she wasn't nervous, but being so blatantly looked down upon, it wouldn't be Qiu Fu's style to remain silent.
Fang Rui looked at Cheng Susu with a half-smile.
Cheng Susu casually waved her round fan and chuckled, "I didn't name names, so many of my sisters didn't react. Why does Miss Qiu insist on admitting it?"
"You—" Qiu Fu's face flushed red, and she was speechless with choking.
"Alright, Susu, these are all my guests." Fang Rui said lightly.
The Qiu sisters, led by Qiu Liu, stole the show at the Prince Kang's mansion that day. Did they think the same thing would happen today?
No matter what she and Cheng Susu do, someone else will make Qiu Liu look bad.
The person appeared quickly.
Princess Rongning strode up to Qiu Heng and asked without mincing words, "Sixth Miss Qiu, are the rumors outside true?"
The person walking with Princess Rongning is Feng Caixing.
"Princess—" Feng Caixing called out softly, looking at the girl in the center of everyone's gaze with some concern.
She thought Ah Heng wouldn't come to the gathering.
"Why isn't Miss Qiu Liu saying anything?" Princess Rongning stared intently at Qiu Heng.
Looking at the imposing Princess Rongning, Qiuheng thought of the time they played Cuju (ancient Chinese football) at Yunyuan Garden.
That was the first time she met Princess Rongning.
Upon their first meeting, Princess Rongning was radiant and full of life, and he warmly invited her to join the Cuju (ancient Chinese football) club.
"What rumor is the princess referring to?" Qiu Heng asked.
Qiu Heng's frankness softened Princess Rongning's tone: "Rumor has it that Miss Qiu has been having an affair with Lord Yuan's concubine."
These words silenced the room even more, with countless eyes fixed on the girl being questioned by the princess, waiting for her answer.
How could someone be so calm? If she were asked that question, she would be mortified—many noble ladies thought to themselves.
Qiu Heng nodded gently: "We have been in contact. Lord Yuan's family likes the scented pendants I make."
Princess Rongning's uncertainty vanished completely, and her eyes were filled with disappointment as she looked at Qiu Heng: "Sixth Miss Qiu is indeed a master of incense making, but unfortunately, her incense is not her character. Birds of a feather flock together, and our Yuan Tuan Society cannot accommodate someone like Sixth Miss Qiu who makes so many friends!"
As she spoke, she took out the fragrant pendant that Qiu Heng had given her earlier, threw it into Qiu Heng's arms, and turned to walk away.
Another noblewoman stepped forward and returned the fragrant pendant to Qiuheng.
Soon Qiuheng received several fragrant pendants, all of which she gave out after going to Yunyuan.
These people were so eager to get them back then, but now they're desperate to throw them away.
Qiu Heng looked at Feng Caixing, who was standing there in a daze, and smiled slightly: "Second Miss Feng, are you going to return the sachet to me?"
Feng Caixing's expression changed drastically.
Many gazes shifted from Qiu Heng to Feng Caixing.
This is too exciting! What will Miss Feng do?
Miss Feng the Second is on good terms with Princess Rongning, and I've heard she's also close to Miss Qiu the Sixth.
With so many people watching, Feng Caixing frowned: "There's no reason to take back a gift that's already been given. Ah Heng, I believe you're not like the rumors say. I will explain to the princess."
Qiu Heng smiled, ignored Feng Caixing's words, put away the sachet, and walked towards Fang Rui.
"What are you doing?" Cheng Susu asked warily.
It's so embarrassing in front of everyone, who knows if this country girl will go crazy.
Qiu Heng completely ignored Cheng Susu and looked at Fang Rui: "Miss Fang invited us sisters to play, and my sisters and I are all flattered. We didn't expect it to cause such an unpleasant situation, so we won't stay here and spoil the fun."
Fang Rui had watched the excitement to her heart's content. She casually tried to persuade them to stay a few more times, then ordered her maid to escort the Qiu girls out of the mansion.
The atmosphere was a bit chilly at first without the Qiu sisters, but it quickly warmed up again thanks to Fang Rui's enthusiastic greetings. The topic was readily available: the recently departed Sixth Miss Qiu.
On the way back, the atmosphere was somber, and Qiu Ying couldn't help but say, "I should have known better than to come."
Qiu Fu got annoyed: "Didn't you know before you went that the banquet was no fun? What's the point of regretting it now? If you don't come this time, what about the future? Are you just going to disappear without a trace?"
Qiu Yun glanced at Qiu Heng, pursed her lips, and said, "Sixth Sister, you should avoid the limelight and stay home as much as possible."
Even without Sixth Sister by their side, they wouldn't be in this situation.
Hearing Qiu Yun's slight complaint, Qiu Xuan gave her a deep look, but said nothing.
Everyone has their own ideas, and that's not necessarily wrong.
"I understand," Qiu Heng replied casually, not taking what seemed like an immense embarrassment to others in the Prime Minister's residence seriously.
She returned not for a good reputation or a good marriage, but to fulfill her husband's entrustment.
If they fail, most of the noble ladies at this banquet will suffer tragic fates. If they succeed, many of the noble ladies from the Prime Minister's residence will also see their families decline.
The news of Qiu Heng's seemingly insignificant encounter quickly spread among the noble ladies.
Unable to persuade Princess Rongning, Feng Caixing went to the Kang Prince's residence to confide her troubles to Princess Jiayi, who was engrossed in making incense.
“Aheng is clearly not that kind of person, yet she doesn’t explain. And the princess can’t stand people who don’t respect themselves, so this is how it ended up…”
The Lady of Jiayi County was somewhat surprised: "So many things have happened recently? I'll invite Ah Heng over to my house later and ask her about it."
Before the Princess of Jiayi could send out an invitation, her elder brother Lingyun had already sought help from the Princess Consort of Kang County.
"What? You want me to adopt Miss Qiu as my goddaughter?" Upon hearing her son's request, Princess Kang felt it was outrageous. "Yun'er, do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course my son knows."
“Mother is not deaf. I have already heard about the reputation of Miss Qiu Liu. You want me to take a young lady who is involved with a high-ranking official’s concubine as your goddaughter. Have you thought about what others will say about the Kang Prince’s Mansion?”
“Mother, it is precisely because Aheng is in trouble that I am asking you for help.”
Princess Consort Kang was somewhat annoyed: "Just because Miss Qiu saved you, does that mean the Kang Prince's Mansion can do whatever it wants with you?"
Ling Yun looked at his mother earnestly: "Mother, the Kang Prince's Mansion didn't give Aheng anything. If you say that the jewelry and silks they sent were a token of gratitude, isn't my life too light?"
"Yun'er!" Princess Consort Kang called out, then sighed, "Fine, but only this once. Giving her the status of an adopted daughter will surely repay this life-saving debt, won't it?"
She didn't want to, she felt uncomfortable, but what could she do when she only had one son?
She didn't want to become estranged from her only son.
Ling Yun shook his head.
"Isn't that enough?" Princess Consort Kang was stunned.
The young man, as white as a crane on a snow-capped mountain, lowered his eyes slightly: "I don't want to hide it from you, Mother. If Aheng encounters trouble again in the future, I will still help her."
"Why?"
"My son has feelings for Aheng."
"What?" Princess Consort Kang exclaimed in disbelief.
Ling Yun said calmly, "I've spent four years with Aheng and have long treated her like a younger sister. Mother, do you think I should turn a blind eye to Jiayi's troubles?"
“How can this be the same? You and Jiayi are siblings from the same mother—” Princess Kangjun simply did not believe it.
"Relationships are built through time spent together. During the years when my son was away from his family to recover from his illness, it was Aheng who brought me some joy."
Those were four years that were purely simple, regardless of identity or anything else.
Four unforgettable years.
Those were four years that we could never go back to.
"Yun'er!" Princess Consort Kang called out loudly, staring intently at her son. "Tell your mother the truth, do you really only feel brotherly affection for Miss Qiu Liu?"
Ling Yun met his mother's gaze frankly: "If there were any other reasons, I wouldn't have asked you to take Aheng as your goddaughter."
Only by becoming her sworn sister could he openly protect Ah Heng and prevent her from attracting criticism.
(End of this chapter)
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